KUCHING: Sarawak Cabinet ministers, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state lawmakers and political secretaries will contribute two months’ worth of pay and allowances to the State Disaster Fund.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a statement today said the total contribution was expected to amount to RM3 million.
The contributions would be made through salary deductions starting June this year.
The Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s monthly salary will take a 30 percent deduction, deputy chief ministers (25 percent), State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker and ministers (20 percent), and assistant ministers (15 percent).
DUN members will take a 10 percent cut in their monthly allowance whereas political secretaries will take a five percent cut.
“To show the continued commitment of the GPS government in helping the people who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the chief minister has discussed with his Cabinet members and made a unanimous decision to contribute two months’ salaries of State Cabinet members and allowances of GPS assemblypersons and political secretaries to the State Disaster Fund,” the CMO statement read.
The GPS government will consider continuing and extending the monthly contributions of State Cabinet members, GPS assemblypersons, and political secretaries to the State Disaster Fund if the pandemic continues in the future.
Additionally, the GPS state government has decided that Sarawak civil servants will also contribute a certain amount of their fixed entertainment allowance (ITK) for two months to the State Disaster Fund.
The contribution which involves almost 7,000 civil servants, including the local authorities and state statutory bodies, is expected to amount to RM300,000.
In July and August this year, those categorised as Main Grade A/Special Grade A equivalent and above will contribute 50 percent of their ITK, Main Grade B/Special Grade B (20 percent), Main Grade C/Special Grade C (10 percent), Grades 43 to 56 and equivalent (five percent), and Grades 29 to 42 (RM10 from the ITK received).
However, frontliners who are directly involved in the containment and control of the Covid-19 pandemic are excluded from giving the contribution.
The CMO said the GPS state government will also request all Sarawak government-linked companies (GLCs) to participate in contributing to the State Disaster Fund as a joint commitment by all parties to combat the pandemic.
“The GPS state government will continue to prioritise the safety and welfare of the people. The ongoing efforts of the GPS state government, with the strong support of Sarawak civil servants, will continue in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is hoped that this contribution will, to some extent, help the government through various measures implemented to flatten the Covid-19 infection curve in Sarawak.”
